Proteomics-based approach for differentiation of age-related macular degeneration sub-types.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly population. The current study aims to find non-invasive prognostic biomarkers in the urine specimens of the AMD patients. Methods: Peripheral blood and urine samples were collected from 23 controls and 61 AMD patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buffy coat of peripheral blood. Allele specific PCR was used to assay SNPs in complement factor H (CFH), complement component 3 (C3). Comparative proteomic analysis of urine samples from early AMD, choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM), geographic atrophy (GA), and healthy controls was performed using isobaric labelling followed by mass spectrometry. Validation was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Comparative proteomic analysis of urine samples identified 751 proteins, of which 383 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in various groups of AMD patients. Gene ontology classification of differentially expressed proteins revealed the majority of them were involved in catalytic functions and binding activities. Pathway analysis showed cell adhesion molecule pathways (CAMs), Complement and coagulation cascades, to be significantly deregulated in AMD. Upon validation by ELISA, SERPINA-1 (Alpha1 antitrypsin), TIMP-1 (Tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloprotease-1), APOA-1 (Apolipoprotein A-1) were significantly over-expressed in AMD (n = 61) patients compared to controls (n = 23). A logistic model of APOA-1 in combination with CFH and C3 polymorphisms predicted the risk of developing AMD with 82% accuracy. Conclusion: This study gives us a preliminary data on non-invasive predictive biomarkers for AMD, which can be further validated in a large cohort and translated for diagnostic use.

Liquefied after cataract and its surgical treatment.

AIMS: To describe liquefied after cataract (LAC) and its surgical management following an uneventful phacoemulsification with posterior chamber in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC). DESIGN: Interventional case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with LAC, following uneventful phacoemulsification with CCC and in-the-bag IOL implantation were enrolled. After the basic slit lamp examination, each case was investigated with Scheimpflug photography and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Each case was treated with capsular lavage. Biochemical composition of the milky fluid was evaluated and ring of anterior capsular opacity (ACO) was examined under electron microscope. RESULTS: All 11 cases presented with blurring of vision after 6-8 years of cataract surgery with IOL implantation. All cases had IOL microvacuoles, 360° anterior capsule, and anterior IOL surface touch along with ACO, ring of Soemmering, and posterior capsule distension filled with opalescent milky fluid with whitish floppy or crystalline deposits. Biochemically, the milky fluid contained protein (800 mg/dl), albumin (100 mg/dl), sugar (105 mg/dl), and calcium (0.13%) and was bacteriologically sterile. Histologically, the dissected ACO showed fibrous tissue. All cases were successfully treated with capsular lavage with good visual recovery and with no complication. There was no recurrence of LAC during 2 years postoperative follow-up in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: LAC is a late complication of standard cataract surgery. It may be a spectrum of capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS) without shallow anterior chamber and secondary glaucoma. Capsular bag lavage is a simple and effective treatment for LAC and a safe alternative to neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) capsulotomy.

Immobilizing silver nanoparticles (SNP) on Musa balbisiana cellulose.

Cellulose from Musa balbisiana was purified. A part of it was dispersed in distilled water using ultrasonication. The silver nanoparticles (SNP) were synthesized in the colloidal cellulose solution and stability of the nanoparticles was tested using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Further characterization of the composite was done using spectral analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to reveal any bond formation between silver nanoparticles with M. balbisiana cellulose. Here we found that cellulose/silver nanoparticle colloid is stable for 29 days and there is no chemical interaction of cellulose with silver nanoparticles.

A new approach to the assessment of marginal vitamin A deficiency in children in suburban Guwahati, India: hydrolysis of retinoyl glucuronide to retinoic acid.

The objective of the present study was to determine marginal vitamin A deficiency (VAD) by testing the hydrolysis of retinoyl glucuronide (RAG) to retinoic acid (RA) in children. Previous studies in rats showed that hydrolysis occurred when rats were vitamin A deficient. Children (n 61) aged 3-18 years, were divided into two groups, I and II. Blood was collected from the children in Group I (n 19) who were not dosed with RAG. Children in Group II (n 42) were administered all-trans retinoyl glucuronide (RAG) orally, and blood was collected 4 h after the dose. All serum samples were analysed for retinoids and carotenoids. RA was detected in serum only when serum retinol was < 0.85 micromol/l. Thus, hydrolysis of RAG to RA occurred in children with VAD or marginal VAD. Serum retinol was < 0.35 micromol/l in twenty-one children, 0.35-0.7 micromol/l in twenty-three children, 0.7-0.9 micromol/l in eleven children and >1 micromol/l in six children. Mean serum retinol in sixty-one children was 0.522 (sd 0.315) micromol/l. Mean beta-carotene (0.016 (sd 0.015) micromol/l) was far below normal compared to the level of lutein (0.176 (sd 0.10) micromol/l) in sixty-one children. A low beta-carotene level might be due to a low intake of carotene but high demand for vitamin A. The RAG hydrolysis test may prove to be a useful approach for the determination of marginal VAD with no clinical or subclinical signs of VAD. High prevalence of VAD amongst certain communities in Assam cannot be ruled out.

Bacteriology of chronic dacryocystitis in adult population of northeast India.

PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of bacteriology of chronic dacryocystitis in the Northeast Indian population and compare it with previous studies. METHODS: A prospective analysis of 543 lacrimal sac content of 421 patients in the period of October 2003 to June 2007. Material obtained directly from the lacrimal sac during making sac flap that had undergone external dacryocystorhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-four bacteria were isolated from 543 specimens of 421 patients. Growths were observed in 494 (90.97%) specimens, and there was no growth in 49 (9.03%) of the specimens; 61.04% were female and 38.95% were male. Four hundred ninety-four samples (90.97%) were positive for bacteria, including both single and mixed isolations. Four hundred five (74.58%) had single isolations, 89 (16.39%) patients had mixed bacterial isolations (more than one organism), and no organisms were isolated from 49 (9.02%) specimens. The majority of microorganisms in our study were gram-positive bacteria, 75% of the overall microorganisms cultured were gram-positive bacteria, with a predominance of staphylococcus species. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 25% of the specimens with predominance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to have knowledge of the microbial organisms responsible for chronic dacryocystitis in a particular geographical area to choose the prophylactic antibiotic following lacrimal drainage procedure. Identification of the microbes and proper antibiotic prophylaxis helps for the better management of the postoperative period.